My God Has Dark Skin
The song my group was assigned was “My God Has Dark Skin”. The first time I read through this song I didn't think much of it, but then after reading the lyrics over and over and working with the song so much I felt like it really spoke to me, it made me curious, so I researched what the native Americans dealt with. After reading from several different sources I understood the lyrics so much more than I had before.
My whole life I've been interested in Native american culture, my family lived on a Navajo reservation for a few years, and when I was a kid my parents would tell me stories about the Navajo art we owned and the Spiritual meaning behind it. My favorite thing about Native American culture has always been the way they tell their stories; through blankets, pots, baskets, rugs, statues, and song. They're all different, every Native American tribe has their own music style, weaving pattern or other form of communicating through art.
So, it was surprising when the song I was assigned addressed the very component of Native American culture that I find the most interesting. This song expresses and explains so much in very few words. The chorus in this song, is the most powerful part to me.
And I've got news for you
But I'm not sure where to begin
Yeah, I've got news for you
My God has dark skin
My God has dark skin
{text:soft-page-break} As I read the chorus I interpreted this as a song that was made by the Native Americans to stand up to the white people and fight for their freedom. From 1790 to 1920 Americanization, the effort by the United States to transform Native American culture to European-American culture, was everywhere. The United States saw Native American tribes as obstacles in the way of expansion, and Americanization as a solution. Native American tribes were moved from their homelands to reservations, many died during the move. Then after all the things the white people put them through; taking...